The Generosity Project is a collaborative effort between ABCUSA, regions, and local congregations.  The Generosity Project aims to help pastors re-frame the conversation around stewardship and generosity in their congregations. Bi-monthly blogs help support new growth and understanding as we deepen our ministry and discipleship.

“Stepping out of the busyness, stopping our endless pursuit of getting somewhere else, is perhaps the most beautiful offering we can make to our spirit.”

            ~Tara Brach

Generosity is essentially a spirit. An attitude. A way of being. And the only way we can live into the fullness of generosity with the world is by being generous with ourselves. The wisest people have somehow struck this tender balance between caring for our bodies, minds, and spirits and giving of our bodies, minds, and spirits to other people. If we ourselves are starving, lacking, and exhausted, we have little to offer the world to whom we hope to be kind, generous, and loving as Jesus taught us.

So consider the wonder and ways of generosity and reflect on the truth that generosity starts within. Take stock of your life—where are you in need of stepping out, stopping an endless pursuit, giving yourself enough breathing room to be grateful for today and for what you have? What if who you are and what you are doing is enough? How would that very thought affect your choices, your schedule, your priorities?

There is so much we need to understand about generosity that goes beyond finances and budgets, stewardship campaigns and balance sheets. Generosity doesn’t start in any of those places—it goes much deeper than that. Generosity is essentially a spirit. An attitude. A way of being. And generosity starts within.

Rev. Stacy Emerson is the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in West Hartford, CT and the Stewardship Consultant for ABCUSA. She is also the Coordinator for The Generosity Project which is about helping congregations deepen their understanding of stewardship as a call to generosity as disciples of Jesus; re-framing the stewardship conversation; and cultivating generosity in pastors, lay people, and congregations.